RAIL operators have teamed up with a charity to tackle the myth of Blue Monday and help commuters foster positivity.
Great Western Railway and Network Rail are working with Samaritans as part of their “Blueming Marvellous Monday” campaign, which aims to dispel the idea that the third Monday of January is the most difficult day of the year.
Members of staff at Reading station handed out blue, wooden roses and asked customers what makes them smile in an effort to help people stay positive.
Colleagues also sang along to the Railway Mission Chaplain for south-west England, John Roe, who was playing piano on the station concourse.
They also took part in Samaritans’ own initiative, Brew Monday, which encourages friends and family to stay connected and nurture their mental health with a catch-up over a tea or coffee.
Lucy Shephard, wellbeing manager for Great Western Railway said:”Brew Monday is a Samaritans initiative to make us all have a cuppa and get together for a chat.
“We are myth busting this year because it has been often been reported that today is Blue Monday, but actually, that’s a myth was created for travel industry to make us buy holidays.
“So we’ve jumped on it and we’re turning it around completely.”
She said that the team had noticed the difference they were making: “We have had lots of interest, caused quite a stir, as it’s not quite what you expect on a Monday morning.
“But we want to surprise people and give them a different talking point– we want to remind people of the benefits of kindness, gratitude, and positive affirmation, especially at the start of the week.”
For those that struggle with mental health, she said: “We work with the Samaritans as well as British Transport Police, so I would signpost people to the Samaritans if they need help.
“There are also apps such as Guardian Angel, and the Hub of Hope, which signpost people to help.”
As well as the initiative, new artwork has been installed in the station, with a number of different pieces being added to the wall space in the foyer.
Karen Watts, Reading train station operations manager, said: “We want to uplift people in what can sometimes be a little bit of a dismal place.
“Before we had frosted glass, but last week we installed new artworks to help people be more engaged.
“We’ve got placquards underneath to show what inspired the artworks, and we thought we’d incorporate those.”
She said that Brew Monday is also about finding out what what makes people smile, “so if this artwork can make people smile, if they think ‘that’s really nice,’ then we’ve done a good job.”
The artworks were brought together by the University of Reading, with the aim of celebrating the positive aspects of the town and its cultural diversity.
Tina Jenkins, a lecturer at the University of Reading, said: “If you’re walking around the station, it can sometimes give you a bit of respite to see the artwork, a bit of a distraction.”
One of the artists, Jenna Fox, said: “With all of the vibrance and change which happens in Reading, we wanted to make those connections to the town.
“We’ve got one of the murals which says ‘Welcome to Reading’ in a number of different languages by Haya Sheffer, we have a floral piece of mine, based on the flower show in Caversham.
“There’s also a piece which is made of slogans which had been written on toilet walls up and down the line, although they had to edit some of those out, of course.”
Shona Gibbs, acting head of rail at Samaritans, said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year. “At Samaritans we know there is no such thing as Blue Monday and people can feel low at any point of the week or year.
“So, Brew Monday, combined with GWR and Network Rail’s idea of a ‘Blueming Marvellous Monday’ this January provides passengers with an extra portion of positivity.”
She said also that at Samaritans, “we want everyone to know that you are never alone and we’re encouraging them to check in with people they care about for a cuppa and a chat as talking can save lives.
“Our volunteers are available around the clock to listen to anyone who needs support this Brew Monday and every other day of the year, 24/7.”
Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway for more than a decade, including rail and BTP staff training for supporting vulnerable people.
Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, any time from any phone on 116 123, via their website, www.samaritans.org, or by email via jo@samaritans.org.
